Overview

• The Iranian government ordered Afghans without legal status to depart by July 6 or face arrest, potentially affecting four million of the six million Afghan residents in Iran.
• United Nations data show more than 700,000 Afghans have returned since March, with daily crossings peaking at over 43,000 at the Islam Qala border in early July.
• Only around 10 percent of returnees have received humanitarian support, leaving reception centres under-equipped for water, sanitation and child protection services.
• Host authorities maintain the expulsions are lawful and vital for national security, even as UN agencies warn that the mass returns risk further destabilisation of Afghanistan.
• UNHCR, IOM and UNICEF have declared an emergency response and appealed for increased funding to address returns during seasonal challenges.